Howard Rollins
ActingAbout Howard Rollins
Howard Rollins (October 17, 1950 – December 8, 1996) was an American television, film, and stage actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime and Virgil Tibbs on In the Heat of the Night.
Howard Rollins Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Howard Rollins reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 21 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Howard Rollins's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 57% of Howard Rollins's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The Legacy of Malthus, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Howard Rollins Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Howard Rollins's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Howard Rollins has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Remembering Ragtime | Coalhouse Walker Jr. (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1997 | Drunks | Joseph | Flop | Similar → |
| 1996 | Harambee! | Chimbuko | Hit | Similar → |
| 1994 | The Legacy of Malthus | Self (Population Institute, 1993) (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | With Murder in Mind | Samuel Carver | Average | Similar → |
| 1990 | On the Block | Clay Beasley | Flop | Similar → |
| 1986 | Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI | T.C. Russell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | The Children of Times Square | Otis Travis | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | The Boy King | Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. | Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | He's Fired, She's Hired | Raoul | Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | A Soldier's Story | Captain Davenport | Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | The House of Dies Drear | Walter Small | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | A Doctor's Story | Dr. Zack Williams | Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | The House of God | Chuck Johnston | Flop | Similar → |
| 1983 | For Us, the Living: The Story of Medgar Evers | Medgar Evers | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | The Member of the Wedding | Honey Brown | Flop | Similar → |
| 1982 | The Neighborhood | Allen Campbell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Ragtime | Coalhouse Walker Jr. | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Thornwell | Carson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | My Old Man | Doctor | Flop | Similar → |
| 1978 | The Trial of the Moke | James Smith | Average | Similar → |
Howard Rollins - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Howard Rollins?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Howard Rollins is "The Legacy of Malthus" with a rating of 9.0/10.
How many movies has Howard Rollins acted in?
Howard Rollins has been featured in at least 21 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Howard Rollins?
Other notable films include "The House of Dies Drear", "Thornwell", and "Ragtime".